An explosion took place in a crowded market in Iraq in Sadar city neighbourhood of Baghdad on Monday, the eve of Eid-ul-Azha festival.
At least 30 people have been killed and dozens wounded in the bomb attack in the busy market in the Iraqi capital. It has been said by the State news agency that an explosive device had been ignited. The device exploded in the Al-Wuhailat market in the northern Sadr city area as the families prepared for the festival of Eid-ul-Azha.
It is the third time an explosion has hit Sadr city in recent months. However, it is the deadliest in six months.
Body parts of the victims lay scattered across the previously bustling market, which had been crowded with shoppers buying things ahead of the Islamic festival.
There are women and children among the dead and according to sources, almost 60 people have been wounded. However, hospital sources say that the death toll could rise as some of the injured were in a precarious state.
The Islamic State group (IS) claimed it was behind the blast, saying one of its members detonated an explosive vest.
The Iraqi government declared victory in its war against the Sunni Muslim jihadist group at the end of 2017.
However, sleeper cells continue to wage a low-level insurgency in the country.
IS said it was behind a car bomb blast in April that killed four people at another market in Sadr City, which is predominantly Shia Muslim.
Iraq’s media cell said that an investigation has been launched to look into the matter.
In a message posted to its Telegram channel, the armed group ISIL (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the attack, saying one of its fighters blew up his explosive vest among the crowds.
Earlier, a suicide attack by Daesh militants killed at least 32 people in Januray.
However, large bomb attacks which were once an almost daily occurrence in the Iraqi capital have come to halt in recent years after the defeat of Daesh militants in 2017, part of an overall improvement in security that has brought normal life back to Baghdad.
